Retarded self-closing faucet



July 20, 1943. J. F. MOLLOY RETARDED SELF-CLOSING FAUCET IN VEN TOR.

Jane's FMoLLov' BY v ATTORNEY 'closing of the valve controlling Patented July 20, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I i V 2,324,94

RETARDED SELF-CLOSING FAUCET I James F. Molloy, Oakland, Calif. Application October 8, 1341, Serial No. 414,103

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements i retarded self-closing faucets and more particularly to the retarding means. V

'Among the objects of the invention is the simpliflcation of the-combination and arrangement of the elements for opening and retarding the the flow through the faucet. Another object is to combine the working elements in a compact unit for easy replacement in existing faucets in this class. Another object is to minimize wear in the working parts to maintain accuracy in the timing interval, throughout the life of the assembly.

' Another object isto reduce the necessary spring tension interposed in the opening moment. A further object is thedisposal of external seepage through the packingmeans.

- Other Objects and advantages will appear as the description progresses. 1

In this specification and the accompanying a drawing the invention is disclosed in its preferred form. But it is to be understood that it is not limited to this form, because it may be embodied in modifications within the spirit of the invention as-defined in theclair'ns following the description. It has been common practice in this art to use cupleathers and other form of yielding packing, in the retarding means; also to close the valve by spring tension. Such packings are subject to deterioration in continued use, resulting in progressive shortening of the retarding period in closing. Spring closed valves are subject to leakage and water hammer in high pressure water districts, and the parts are not easily accessible for repair or replacement in those valves in the art known to me.

Broadly stated the present invention consists in providing a compactly assembled interchangeable unit combining all the working parts necessary, that may be easily and quickly removed and replaced in the body of the faucet; and in which the valve is positively closed by the service pressur and the retarding elements are not in direct wearing contact with each other.

The single figure of the drawing shows:

A vertical section of a water faucet constructed in accordance with this invention.

In detail the construction illustrated in the drawing comprises the conventional body portion I having the threaded inlet pipe 2 adapted to be coupled to the water or other fluid service pipe and having the running nut 3 for attaching the faucet to the basin orother fixture.

The body has the annular internal flange 4 and the central enlarged portion 5 below the neck fiythat is externally threaded to receive theinternally threaded coupling nut I. The discharge spout 8 leads from the chamber formed by the enlarged portion at 5. The top and the internal bore of the neck 6, the top surface of the flange 4 and the center opening therein are accurately machined. The compressible packing washer 9 isinterposed between the coupling nut and the top of the neck 6.

The annular cap [0 is closed at the top H and has the external flange l'll"with radial notches in its lower surface and beneath the top flange of the nut l. The pressure handle l2 preferably telescopes over the cap in and is slidably joined thereto by the thrust screw I3 having its head countersunk in the under side of the top I I. v The cylindrical valve block I4 has a reduced lower endsnugly bearing against'the flange 4 and filling'the center opening therein. It has the'lower inlet valve opening l5 surrounded by a raised bead forming the inlet valveseat; diameter of the block I 4 is a snug sliding fit within the bore of the neck 6, and terminates below the top thereof, and has an upstanding annular flange 3. J

Thev gland neck H has the enlarged base- 3 resting upon the flange lfi with which it makes a substantially pressure tight fit. This base engages under the flange I0 on the cap l0 and is depressed by the coupling nut I screwed onto the neck 6 of the body. The neck of the gland I1 is externally threaded to receive the packing coupling nut 19 which compresses the soft pack- The body portion 5, block 14 and gland l1l8 form in effect a single unit having an in ternal bore.

The valve 22 is screwed onto the end of the valve stem 23 which extends upwardly through the assembly to the head of the thrust screw I3, and is sealed against leakage by the soft packing 2|. The valve 22 has the composition insert 24, engaging the valvescat bead surrounding the opening I5, against which it is pressed by the service pressure through the inlet 2'. The stem 23 is slidably guided in the gland IT, and is of less diameter than the inlet I5.

The valve block M is counterbored to receive the piston 25 slidable therein. The lower end of the piston forms a valve seat for the valve 26 resting on the disk 26' fixed on the stem 23, with an annular inlet passage surrounding the stem 23. The piston depressing cross pin 21 in the stern limits the opening of the valve at 26. The bottom of the block l4 has the lateral out- The r lets such as 28, 29, preferably three or more, extending from the inlet 15 into the body of the faucet at 5. The longitudinal by-pass 30 is bored in the wall of the block M from its top into the lateral outlet 28. The spring 3|, interposed between the cap 32 threaded on the upper end of the stem 23 and the nut 18, urges the handle I2 upward into the normal position; and also maintains the valve 22 closed should the water pressure fail.

This invention operates substantially as follows: With all parts in the positions shown in the drawing and the valve 22 closed by the service pressure in 2; depressing the handle H to the limit of the spring 3|, acting through the thrust screw l3 and the stem 23, opens the valve at 22 to full capacity and causes the cross pin 21 to depress the piston 25. The inrush of water through the inlet l escapes through the lateral passages 28, 29 and through the spout B. It also rises upwardly into the counterbore lifting the piston 25 against the pin 21. This opens the valve at 26 and fills the chamber 33 above the piston.

The retarding action is timed by the volume of water impounded in the chamber 33. The upward urge of the fluid pressure against the valve 22, lifts the piston 25, causing this impounded water to seep slowly past the periphery of the piston and the contiguous walls of the counterbore in the block M. This interposes a dash-pot action for retarding the reclosing of the valve 22 The timed interval between the opening and closing of this valve is determined by the speed of this seepage. There is at all times a thin film of water between the periphery of the piston and the counterbore acting as a lubricant to prevent wear. Turning the cap 32 down on the upper end of the threaded stem 23 shortens the timing interval by increasing the tension of the spring 3|. Turning the cap 32 up on the threaded stem lengthens the timing interva1 by decreasing the tension of the sprin 3|, urging the valve 22 upward. i

In water districts where the water may contain alkaline or other corrosive impurities, it is advisable to make the piston 25 and block ll of a suitable non-corrosive metal, or plastic, such as hard rubber compound or the like.

Any leakage past the soft packing 2i, accumulates in the cap I0 and flows downward through radial notches formed in the bottom of the flange In and is syphoned through the by-pass 30 by the aspirating effect of the water flowing through the lateral outlet 28.

Having thus described this invention what is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent 1. A faucet in the class described including a body having a service inlet and outlet; a cap forming a continuation of the upper portion of said body; a pressure handle above said cap and slidably attached thereto by a thrust means; a

counterbord valve block interposed in said body between said inlet and outlet and having an inlet valve seat in its lower portion and an outlet opening into said body; a piston slidable in the counterbore in said block; a stem slidably guided in said block and extending through said piston and protruding at both ends of said block; a valveon said stem beneathsaid piston, and piston depressing means on said stem; a valve on said stern adapted to close said service inlet in said block; an adjustable spring cap on the 0pposite end of said stem; and a spring interposed between said spring cap and said block.

2. A faucet in the class described including a body having a service inlet and outlet; a cap forming a continuation of the upper portion of said body; a pressure handle above said cap and having a thrust member extending through the top of said cap; a counterbored valve block interposed in said body between said service inlet and outlet and having an inlet valve seat in its lower portion and an outlet into said body; a piston slidable in the counterbore in said block; a gland neck extending into said cap and having a base closing the top of said counterbore; a stem slidably guided in said gland neck and extending through said piston, block and gland neck; a valve on said stem beneath said piston, and piston depressing means on said stem; a valve on said stem adapted to close the inlet opening in said block; a spring cap on the end of said stem in operative relation to the thrust member on said pressure handle; and a spring interposed betweengsaid spring cap and said land neck.

JAMES F. MOLLOY. 

